Teaching online comes with many perks, including working from home, avoiding a commute, and teaching in an environment that feels comfortable and personable. However, spending hours in front of a screen can also make your workday feel a little…well, impersonable.

This is where hygge comes in.

Introduced to readers worldwide through The Little Book of Hygge by Danish happiness researcher Meik Wiking, hygge is a Danish concept associated with coziness, comfort, togetherness, and enjoying the simple things in life.

It’s not about buying expensive decorations or creating the perfect Instagram-worthy classroom. Instead, hygge is about designing an atmosphere where you feel relaxed, comfortable, and present.

For online teachers, this can extend beyond your physical workspace. You can bring a little hygge into your teaching environment, your lessons, and the learning experience you create for your students.

Here are five simple ways to get started.

1) Create a cozy teaching space

Your surroundings can have a big impact on how you feel during your workday. Since online teachers often spend hours in the same room, why not make this space a place you actually enjoy being in?

Think about what makes you feel at ease. Maybe it’s a soft blanket over your chair, a warm lamp instead of harsh overhead lighting, a few plants, or a piece of art that makes you smile.

You don’t need to completely redesign your home office. A few personal touches can make the space feel more inviting. Keep some of your favourite things nearby: a nice mug, a candle, a small plant, a photo, or a book you enjoy.

The whole idea is to create a space that feels like your own.

2) Prioritize your lighting

Lighting is another important part of hygge. Harsh, bright lighting isn’t exactly associated with cozy evenings, so consider how you can make your teaching space feel softer and warmer. A small desk lamp or warm-toned light can make a big difference, especially if you teach early in the morning or later in the evening.

Of course, you still need enough light for your students to see your face clearly on camera, but instead of relying entirely on a bright ceiling light, experiment with softer lighting around your workspace.

A more pleasantly lit environment can help you feel more relaxed and comfortable throughout your teaching day.

And of course, natural lighting is always the best, if you teach during the hours when the sun’s still up.

3) Keep a cozy drink nearby

Coffee and tea are often associated with hygge, but you don’t need to drink caffeine to take part in this ritual.

Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, hot chocolate, or another favourite drink before your teaching day begins. Put it in a mug you love and actually take the time to enjoy it.

Rather than treating your drink as something you quickly consume between lessons, make it part of a small ritual. For example, you could prepare your tea before your first class, sit down for a few quiet minutes, and enjoy it before opening your virtual classroom.

It’s a tiny change, but these small moments of comfort are exactly the kind of everyday pleasure that hygge celebrates.

4) Add some warmth to your online classroom

Hygge isn’t only about your physical surroundings. You can also create a hygge atmosphere online.

Think about the feeling students get when they enter your virtual classroom. Does it feel cold and strictly focused on completing the lesson, or does it feel welcoming?

You could start class with a few minutes of casual conversation before jumping into the lesson. Ask students about their day, what they did over the weekend, or something they’re looking forward to.

You can also use warm, friendly visuals in your slides rather than filling every page with text and instructions.

Even small gestures, such as welcoming students by name and smiling when they enter the classroom, can make an online lesson feel more personal.

5) Create small moments of togetherness

At the heart of hygge is togetherness. For online teachers, this is especially meaningful because teaching through a screen can sometimes make both teachers and students feel disconnected.

Look for opportunities to create genuine human connection during your lessons. Instead of making every activity about grammar, vocabulary, or getting the correct answer, occasionally give students an opportunity to share something about themselves.

You could ask questions like these:

• What’s one good thing that happened this week?
• What’s your favourite way to relax after work?
• What food reminds you of home?
• What’s something you’re looking forward to?

These conversations don’t have to take up much class time. A few minutes of genuine interaction can help students feel seen, heard, and more connected to the person on the other side of the screen.

Adding a little hygge to your online classroom doesn’t require a major change to your routine. Sometimes, it’s simply about making your environment more inviting, slowing down to appreciate small pleasures, and creating opportunities for genuine connection.

Stay tuned for next week’s article, where we’ll share five more tips for bringing a little more hygge into your teaching!